After that, a statement signed by Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Xu Jie, the second minister of the cabinet, quickly spread throughout the capital with the help of interested people.
And it spread rapidly to the surrounding area at a viral speed, causing an uproar throughout the Ming Dynasty.
Countless "highly respected" scholars quickly jumped out and accused Yan Song and Xu Jie of being scholars. They didn't want to fight for the rights and interests of scholars in the world. Instead, they actually helped the emperor, flattered the superiors, bullied the inferiors, and persecuted them. Shilin.
Soon, both Yan Song and Xu Jie were dubbed "executioners"!
What's more, they also want to completely remove Yan Song and Xu Jie from the gentry class.
However, what these people did not notice was that all those who dared to speak out publicly against the integrated grain payment of government and gentry quietly disappeared.
Gradually, the voice of opposition became smaller and smaller. Among the gentry of the Ming Dynasty, a group of people who specialized in advocating the integration of government and gentry payment of grain gradually appeared. They often had a background in the imperial court and could express their opinions at will within the allowed scope. the opinion of.
"I think that the unified payment of food by officials and gentry is the kindness His Majesty bestows on us!"
"Your Majesty's kindness is not over yet!"
"Tell me, what are your intentions? How dare you openly oppose the imperial government's policies? Are you accepting money from Japanese pirates?"
The gentry who were originally united soon became divided because of this. The two sides went back and forth and fought with each other. They could no longer accumulate enough strength to oppose the government's upcoming implementation of integrated grain payment for officials and gentry!
…
After five days and five nights of sailing, Hai Rui finally arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan Province and docked smoothly.
The cabin door was pushed open, and Xiao Er, the guard responsible for Hai Rui's safety, walked in and reported to him.
"Sir, we are here!"
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui nodded, put down the book in his hand, and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, let's go!"
On the pier, Henan Governor Pan Xianzheng came to greet him with officials of all sizes from Henan Province. Henan Chief Envoy Yang Yinglin and Henan Inspector Liu Yuan were also among the people who came to greet him.
Liu Yuan looked at Hai Rui who got off the boat, then glanced at Yang Yinglin and Pan Xian not far away, and said to himself.
"The imperial envoy appointed by the imperial court is here. Please wait for me. You will be in bad luck soon!"
Afterwards, Hai Rui got off the ship, escorted by his guards. The area near the dock was full of soldiers on guard.
Pan Xian, the governor of Henan Province, immediately stepped forward, saluted respectfully and said: "Your Majesty, Pan Xian, the governor of Henan Province, has met the imperial envoy!"
After Pan Xian finished speaking, all the officials behind him also saluted.
When Hai Rui saw this, with a faint smile on his face, he immediately cupped his hands to Pan Xian and said.
"I, Hai Rui, currently serve as the censor of Youqiandu of the Inspectorate. This time I followed the imperial court's order and rushed to Henan to investigate the case. Please be patient with me for the next period of time, Lord Governor!"
Hearing this, Pan Xian stroked his beard and laughed loudly: "Wherever, if the imperial envoy can be useful in getting a subordinate position, just words are enough!"
"Your Majesty, please!"
"please!"
Immediately afterwards, Hai Rui and Pan Xian walked at the forefront of the team, followed closely by the subordinate staff brought by Hai Rui's trip, as well as officials of all sizes from Henan Province. This situation made Hai Rui quite excited. Feeling.
I never thought that one day I would be able to serve as an imperial envoy and rush to local areas to investigate cases. When I was the magistrate of Chun'an County in Zhejiang, I didn't get this kind of treatment!
Then, Pan Xian turned his attention to Hai Rui, his face full of respect, and suggested.
"Your Majesty, the imperial envoy has had a long journey, do you need to take a rest first?"
"The official has already prepared a banquet for you, so that you can wash away the dust for you!"
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui shook his head and said slowly.
"Master Pan, it's no need. I went to Henan to investigate the case this time with His Majesty's decree. I don't dare to relax at all!"
When Hai Rui said this, he paused for a moment and continued to add.
"It's better to go to the granary and take a look first!"
Seeing that Hai Rui, the imperial envoy, had spoken, Pan Xian did not dare to disobey him at all.
Then, he waved his hand, summoned Henan Chief Envoy Yang Yinglin, and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Take the imperial envoy to the granary to have a look!"
"Yes, sir!"
After Yang Yinglin responded, he didn't hesitate at all and quickly came to Hai Rui and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, please follow me!"
"Um."
Afterwards, Hai Rui got on the sedan that had been prepared and marched towards the granary. On both sides of the sedan, he was followed by fully armed guards.
Pan Xian, the governor of Henan Province, just stood there, watching Hai Rui's leaving figure, and thought to himself.
"It seems that this Hai Rui is not an easy character to get along with!"
Afterwards, Pan Xian called his cronies, whispered a few words, and then let them leave.
And this scene was firmly remembered in Liu Yuan's mind.
…
I don't know how much time passed, but the speed of the sedan gradually slowed down. Just when Hai Rui was bored, he heard Yang Yinglin's report coming from the front.
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, the granary is right ahead!"
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui immediately opened the sedan curtain, and the guard Xiao Er, who was responsible for protecting his safety, saw this situation and immediately came forward to greet him, lowering his voice.
"Sir, what are your orders?"
After hearing this, Hai Rui looked Xiao Er up and down before giving instructions.
"You don't have to go in with me later. You can take the guards with you to understand the surrounding situation and see if you can get any clues from it?"
"Yes, sir!"
After Xiao Er responded, he signaled several guards with his eyes and quietly left the team with them.
Soon, the sedan arrived at its destination, and immediately after, Hai Rui entered the granary under the leadership of Yang Yinglin!
As soon as everyone stepped into the granary, a melody of a good harvest, played by a suona, rang in their ears.
When Yang Yinglin, who was leading the way, saw this situation, his face was as dark as coal, and the anger in his heart was slowly rising.
Afterwards, the officials responsible for managing the granary came over quickly and looked at Yang Yinglin eagerly, not forgetting to ask for credit.
"My Lord Chief Minister, what do you think of the music that I have prepared?"
"Since I received your order, I have ordered my subordinates to rehearse day and night!"
"Now, I can finally get it."
Just when Yang Yinglin was about to lose control of his inner anger and was about to explode on the spot, Hai Rui's calm voice sounded next to his ears.
"Well, not bad, very thoughtful."
When Yang Yinglin heard this, his expression immediately changed, and he quickly came to Hai Rui and said flatteringly.
"Imperial envoy, you may like it. I think..."
Seeing that Yang Yinglin wanted to continue to flatter him, Hai Rui waved his hand impatiently and gave the order.
"Okay, don't waste time, let's take this officer in first to check the situation!"
Upon hearing this, the official who was responsible for managing the granary hurriedly came up to him and said respectfully.
"Yes, sir, please follow me!"
"Um."
Hai Rui nodded, and then, led by this official, he entered the granary very leisurely with his hands behind his back.
After Hai Rui and others entered, outside the granary, the people who had been responsible for playing the suona were at a loss as to whether they should continue.
"Since the Imperial Envoy likes to hear it, let's continue. Maybe the Imperial Envoy will be happy and reward us with an official position!"
"Well, that makes sense!"
Soon, the sound of suona sounded again.
(End of chapter)
